I am getting new 200GB tomorrow and do not want to reinstall windows or applications to it,
is there an image software that can just migrate everything onto the new hard drive?
I know there are tons on Google, I am looking for something that someone here have had successful experience with.

Norton Ghost is what I used when I got upgraded my HDs. It worked pretty well.

If you got in on any Norton Systemworks deals, I think Ghost comes as part of it.

Another vote for Ghost.

That said, HDDs from Maxtor and WD typically come with software, which among other things, lets you copy an old HDD to your new one.

Diggler

And I got Seagate


I have the Systemworks so I already have it, thanks guys, I will try it tonight.

I tried with Version 9.0, windows boots but it keeps loging in and out in and out
and I can never get to the desktop, same with save mode too.
Any suggesions?

Have you got an older version of Ghost laying around (perhaps 2003 or earlier)? Those versions run under DOS and do pure image xfers.

I've migrated installed OS's from 1 HD to another numerous times using the older versions of Ghost; however, I haven't played around much w/ Ghost 9.0 (which is apparently PowerQuest's DriveImage software product -- a Ghosting package which runs under Windows while the OS is up 'n running).

Diggler

I've successfully used the HD mfr software often and found that the SW is basically the same, whether it is WD, Maxtor, etc. You can also download this from their websites and as long as one of the drives match that of the mfr, you're good to go.

Thanks for help, I have system works 2003, not sure if it has Ghost but I will try.

I will also try mnf's utilities to see if they do any good, will report back later

Well, what do you know, tried with system works 2003 and IT WORKED!

What's up with these companies offering new non working products and asking for more money...

The Ultimate Boot CD for Windows is excellent for such tasks and general system rescue. You will need an XP image/CD to make it, but once you do, it works like a charm. Net access and the works; beats using Knoppix and MS NTFS dlls for rescue.

Amazing that someone has compiled a CD with that many tools, and still kept it LEGAL.

I don't leave home without it.

Another very good free util to run with the UBCD (or otherwise) is the F-Prot text-mode Antivirus....yes, updates are freely downloadable...they seem to only charge for the GUI/systemtray/email etc versions.

PS: This probaby won't work on WinXP 64-bit versions...but then again UBCD is built on regular XP.

And I keep one nearby all the time.

For lower-level jobs, like imaging/backing up entire disks bit-by-bit, or repairing boot sectors, secure-wiping disks, a multitude of DOS boot-disks, etc., as well as a lite-Knoppix install, the original Ultimate Boot CD can't be beat. This is one has 100% free software, and can be downloaded directly as an ISO image.

I would use Drivecopy 2005. It sometimes has problems with system files, but you can copy those over via your IDE or SATA easily... or just get them off the XP cd.